Pearls from Mathnavi (P. 19) – Looking for a human being

The anecdote from the Mathnavi Shareef of Maulana Rumi (R) was discussed regarding the person who took a burning lamp to the market in the light of day, searching for a ‘true man’. Lesson is also taken from the thought-provoking incident regarding the Wali who adopted seclusion, due to being privy to the conditions of people, which caused them to appear as animals in his sight! Maulana Rumi (R) notes that if outer appearance was the differentiating factor between human beings, Abu Jahl and Nabi-e-Kareem ? would be equal, yet Subhanallah, we know in reality there can be no comparison! To have Iman, to recognise and love Allah SWT, to abstain from His disobedience and displeasure and at all times to be in His remembrance, are the qualities that make a human being. Allah SWT describes the Sahabah RA in the Qur’an as ‘men’ who are not distracted from His remembrance, and from Salah and Zakah. Neither trade nor the material things of this world deflected them from the fear of the reckoning of the Day of Qiyamah. We should strive to build our inner selves so we are worthy of being true human beings!

We are approaching the spiritual high season of the Believer - Rajab - in which the seeds are planted. Sha’ban is the month in which they are watered and Ramadan is when the crops are reaped, according to Sayyidina Abdul Qadir Jilani (R). Prepare ourselves spiritually and psychologically by engaging in various additional acts of Ibadah to receive this great month of Ramadan!

The anecdote from the Mathnavi Shareef of Maulana Rumi (R) was discussed regarding the person who took a burning lamp to the market in the light of day, searching for a ‘true man’. Lesson is also taken from the thought-provoking incident regarding the Wali who adopted seclusion, due to being privy to the conditions of people, which caused them to appear as animals in his sight! Maulana Rumi (R) notes that if outer appearance was the differentiating factor between human beings, Abu Jahl and Nabi-e-Kareem ﷺ would be equal, yet Subhanallah, we know in reality there can be no comparison! To have Iman, to recognise and love Allah SWT, to abstain from His disobedience and displeasure and at all times to be in His remembrance, are the qualities that make a human being. Allah SWT describes the Sahabah RA in the Qur’an as ‘men’ who are not distracted from His remembrance, and from Salah and Zakah. Neither trade nor the material things of this world deflected them from the fear of the reckoning of the Day of Qiyamah. We should strive to build our inner selves so we are worthy of being true human beings!

We are approaching the spiritual high season of the Believer – Rajab – in which the seeds are planted. Sha’ban is the month in which they are watered and Ramadan is when the crops are reaped, according to Sayyidina Abdul Qadir Jilani (R). Prepare ourselves spiritually and psychologically by engaging in various additional acts of Ibadah to receive this great month of Ramadan!